Arab star Elissa creates history at Olympia Paris

Elissa

JEDDAH: Lebanese star Elissa played at the magnificent Olympia theater in Paris on Friday, becoming just the sixth Arab singer to perform on the historical stage after Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Ahlam, Najwa Karam and Hakim.
“Thank u #Olympia #paris #ELISSA what a night,” she wrote on social media. “One of my best concert(s) ever i m overwhelmed #olympia.”
Elissa performed several tracks from her latest album “Saharna Ya Lail,” as well as some of her biggest hits from the past, to a houseful of Arab music lovers in Paris.
The 45-year-old singer also celebrated her birthday on stage by cutting a cake, with the audience humming “Happy Birthday.”
Elissa wore a white flowing dress for the night, with some on social media comparing the singer to Egyptian-Italian singer and actress Dalida, who is remembered for the iconic white dresses she wore during her performances at Olympia.
On Saturday, as Lebanese leader Saad Al-Hariri announced his resignation as prime minister, Elissa tweeted prayers for her homeland.
“Coming back to a country whose instability is killing me. Pray for #Lebanon this is the only thing we can really do,” she wrote.